Zola Jesus

Conantus

Sacred Bones

An eerie cinematic darkness drapes Zola Jesus’ Conantus like a black veil. It’s only fitting then that enigmatic director David Lynch has scored the first and only official, artist approved remix of one of Nika Roza Danilova’s (Zola Jesus’ Earth-bound identity) surreal compositions. The Lynch-ian take on “In Your Nature” replaces the original’s strings and pulsing drums with guitar and a slower, sweeping beat reminiscent of Tori Amos’ “Caught a Lite Sneeze” played at half speed.

Though NOT included on the full-length album, this little gem will find a home on Sacred Bones’ “In Your Nature” single (to be released Feb. 21, 2012).

Tucked into the middle of one of the most unique releases of the past year, “In Your Nature” is just one magically memorable moment amid many. A minute-long auditory landscape, “Swords” sets the tone for the alien landscape that follows. “Avalanche,” with its tribal drums and soaring vocals, is more a play on sounds than decipherable in terms of lyric. Like an opera, or any song sung in a foreign language, the success is in the mood evoked, and Zola Jesus has got mood to spare.

The song “Vessel” has a Gothic undertone and a spine-tingling chorus (And it’s around everything/ And it’s around/ And it will take you the way) – it’s this chorus that sealed the deal on the album for me, upon the first listen. “Seekir” and “Lick the Palm of the Burning Handshake” are two more trophies in an album of winners.

Riding on the same vein as Florence Welch and pulling from many of the same resources (Siouxsie & the Banshees, Dead Can Dance, Kate Bush), this exotic-looking, Russian-gened, American-born singer/songwriter is putting the GOTH back into experimental dance music.

Zola Jesus: http://zolajesus.com

Jen Cray